THUNDER BAY - A man who pleaded guilty to robbing a convenience store in February told a Thunder Bay judge it was a cry for help for his deteriorating mental health at the time of the offence.
Joseph Anthony Pulice, 36, appeared in a Thunder Bay courtroom on Monday, Aug. 10, by audio for his sentencing hearing in connection to a robbery on Feb. 15 at Alley's Corner Variety where he stole $155 in cash.
Defence lawyer Neil McCartney who represented Pulice at his sentencing hearing told the court his client had just been released from a detox centre the same day of the incident and was desperate to get help for his mental health and substance abuse issues.
“He had been released from the detox centre that afternoon, his mother picked him up and she brought him to the hospital because based on what he was describing he just felt like there was no way he could keep a handle on things if he was out in the community,” McCartney said.
According to the lawyer, his client was brought to the hospital and assessed but was ultimately denied admission.
“Therefore his deteriorating (mental health) conditions stayed deteriorating,” McCartney said.
Crown prosecutor Lu Zhao told the court Pulice entered the store on Feb. 15 just before 11 p.m. and asked the store clerk what time they would be closing. Pulice then left the store and waited in the parking lot for the last customer to leave.
Pulice then entered the store again with half his face covered with the hood of his jacket and grabbed the clerk’s cellphone which was on the counter.
Pulice then demanded cash if the store clerk wanted his phone back. The clerk pushed the panic alarm button below the cash register which the accused saw.
Pulice began to leave the store with the cellphone in his hand.
“He got halfway out the door and then stopped and turned back into the store and then approached the counter and said 'open the til and give me the money or I’ll punch you in the face',” Zhao said.
The accused reached into the cash register himself and grabbed a total of $155 and then placed the cellphone on the store counter and exited the store.
The police attended the area and arrested the accused approximately 30 minutes later.
McCartney told the court his client's actions were based on the need for him to get help by authorities.
“He just felt he wouldn’t be able to face life anymore so he did what he did consciously aware that he wasn’t making any particular effort to heal himself,” McCartney said.
Pulice, who has a criminal record, spoke to the court briefly to apologize for his actions.
“Obviously I am sorry that it has come to this again and sorry that I’ve let my family down and put anyone in danger or caused anyone any psychological damage,” he said.
He also clarified that he had no intention of causing any physical harm on the day he robbed the store.
“Whether it is believable or not, it was a cry for help and I went about it the wrong way and I realize it now being in a better state of mind and properly medicated I went about this all the wrong way and I just want to apologize,” he said.
Defence and Crown counsel submitted a joint sentence submission for Pulice which was endorsed by Judge Peter Bishop.
Bishop sentenced Pulice to three years of custody. He was also granted credit on an enhanced basis for the time he has already served in pre-disposition custody since February.
Going forward, Pulice has 27 months left to serve and also faces a lifetime weapons prohibition.
